21/02/2009 by admin.

There was a time when I hesitated to have a Facebook page. But then my grandchildren, my niece, my niece’s children and so on kept telling me about  its delights and I finally succumbed. My argument for not joining was that I was on so many other sites (starting many years ago with Friends Reunited) that this just seemed de trop. I was surprised to see, when I did create my page, how many people I knew who also had pages and some (maybe most) of these are now my Facebook friends. Most of the said children and young people run rings round me when it comes to using Facebook but, frankly, I only can give it a small portion of my PC time.

I was delighted then when I read  an article by Dr Kathleen Richardson (Department of Social Anthropology) in the latest CAM magazine that observed ”In fact, for many people over 30 joining a social networking site is something you do because you fell you ought to” That was certainly my experience but subsequently it has given me some pleasure and the first time I saw my great-great nephew (yes!) Elliott was when a video of him was posted on Facebook.

 Dr Kathleen goes onto conclude that “If individuals want to stay connected technologies such as Fcebook allow them to stay connected with a minimum of effort ”. I might take issue with that minimum of effort though. But Facebook as we know is not the only way of keeping in touch, exchanging opinions and so on. There’s a perfect way for RN members and its called the FORUM on the Network website www.research-network.org.uk . I must give notice that this is a moderated site so don’t try and post your rude remarks there but, on the other hand, you could try and let me see whether I’ll let you!

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21/02/2009 by admin.

My regular readers (ha-ha!) will see in the Blogroll , or Asides a new link to John’s blog. Typical that the only member to tell us about his blog is one of our oldest but most enterprising friends. If you would like to read John’s interesting account of his travels and observations do read his blog.

Speaking of which I apologise for not posting much on this blog lately but sometimes I feel I should re-christen it ” Tom’s Soliloquy’. That’s OK - I don’t mind talking to myself but don’t usually have to do that. Out of cyberspace I usually have willing listeners.

Have you been reading all the press articles lately about the pros and cons of social networking sites. There’s and interesting take on this in the latest Cambridge Alumni magazine. For the myriads on non-readers of this excellent publication I’ll post a further comment summarising the author’s arguments in favour of sites such as Facebook. Are you a member yet? What do you think about Facebook?

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15/02/2009 by admin.

I remember when I was paid bonuses - in two jobs - which, although I don’t think they were contractual, were certainly expected. Nothing like those in the “top league” of bank bonuses! But I sympathise with those lower down the chain if they were to be denied bonuses. But the thought of those earning £200k or above in salaries receiving bonuses is obscene.

 Can’t the Government make a simple rule of this kind probably setting the qualifying limit at salaries less than, say, £50k. If contractual rights are involved above this limit then those employees should be required to sign a document absolving their bank from its contractual obligations. It could be done - it seems it’s just the will that is lacking. Bankers won’t listen to appeals to their better nature but they might listen to reason if faced with a straight “take it or leave it” alternative. Why is this Government so weak?

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05/02/2009 by admin.

What started this chain of thought was looking up the biography of someone I knew in my advertising days. Two, of these, rather undistinguished at the time but pushy, were raised to the peerage later on. As was someone I once worked with and  someone who taught me for a time. Add to this the one hereditary peer I had a nodding acquaintance with and I suppose I know, or knew at one time, around six of the present members of the House of Lords. Whether or not these people deserved to be life peers - and they almost certainly did because of their considerable personal or business achievments - i am not sure any of them should be unelected legislators. As a result of recent happenings I am now surer than ever that there should be a wholly elected, and directly elected, second house or senate. Much the same people might emerge as candidates and several of them might deserve to be elected but at least they would  have to declare their political colours and private interests, and submit themselves to the electorate, which would, as the man said, be A GOOD THING. It would certainly be better than tampering at the edges of the present system.

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